GIRLS BASKETBALL BLOG

Harrison coach Louis Kail ejected before game starts

Mike Zacchio
mzacchio@lohud.com
Harrison coach, Louis Kail disagrees with the referee call during game action at Harrison High School on Jan. 20, 2016. Harrison defeated Eastchester 68-63.

Harrison varsity girls basketball coach Louis Kail was ejected from coaching his game Friday night after being issued two bench technicals during the junior varsity game, The Journal News confirmed.

Section 1 executive director Jen Simmons confirmed that Kail must "sit out one game and leave premises," as per Section 1 rules.

Kail said he was issued both technicals for questioning player safety with the officials after one Harrison player took an elbow to the face and the other had her eye scratched.

"I don't think a coach should ever be questioned for making sure of their players' safety," Kail said from the Eastchester High School parking lot. "As coaches, our first job is to protect our players.

"The players' safety is everyone's importance," he added.

Kail said he was issued the second technical while walking out of the gym with his players to prepare for the varsity contest and that he did not realize it until his players brought it to his attention.

The varsity game, which resulted in a 74-62 Harrison win, was played under protest because Simmons could not be reached before the start of the game. Eastchester athletic director Jason Karol contacted Simmons, who discussed the situation with Section 1 head official Gerry Byrne and rules interpreter John Divaneri before upholding the decision.

Karol declined to comment. Divaneri could not be reached for comment

Kail said everything was "handled correctly" and called it "a learning lesson" for all parties.

"I preach to my girls all the time: 'You have to be in control,' " Kail said. "Not by any means whatsoever do I think I was out of control, but you never want to put yourself in any kind of situation."

Twitter: @Zacchio_LoHud, @LoHudGirlsHoops